9 thoughts on “New Fees at U of T Libraries (Updated Oct 14)”

I went to the Robarts U of T library the other day for the first time expecting to look up some books on my research topic. Once I got there I encountered high security measures in place at access points to the library stacks. I am furious that U of T is charging people in the academic pursuit of research and knowlege, they are undermining the tenant of research which is open and free dissemination of information. I am willing to petition the University's decision and I encourage students to do the same.

This does not do well to foster relationships between scholars amongst different universities. I do understand that UofT students should have priority over their own material – but there must be better ways at ensuring this. Eliminate visitor privilege for placing holds on books, or shorten the length of time they can reserve books. But hindering access to research in this manner, makes me upset at the exclusiveness UofT is exhibiting, and I'm ashamed as an alumni of that university.

I'm currently a University of Toronto student (undergraduate), and was do not agree that University of Toronto should charge other university students for borrowing privileges. HOWEVER, I would like to make a comparative observation,….

According to Ryerson's library website:

External Borrowers: All other individuals who are residents of Toronto GTA may apply for external borrowers' card: the fee is $75, non refundable. This card is valid for a 12-month period from the date of purchase. External borrowers may borrow 10 books at one time. No periodicals, reference, reserve items or audio-visual materials may be borrowed; Ryerson ILL/Document Delivery/AV Booking Services are not provided. Due to licensing agreements external borrowers do not have access to Internet, email or electronic subscription resources.

Direct Borrowers: Students, Faculty and Staff from all Canadian universities (with the exception of University of Toronto undergraduate students) may apply for a Direct Borrower Card from the Ryerson Circulation Desk. Please check the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement to be sure that you are eligible and have the appropriate identification from your home university. Once a Direct Borrower card is issued by Ryerson you may borrow 10 items at one time. The loan period for most items is 2 weeks. No reference, periodical or reserve items may be borrowed; ILL/Document Delivery/AV Booking Services are not provided. Due to licensing agreements, Direct Borrowers do not have access to Internet, email or electronic subscription resources.

Its somewhat hypocritical to complain at University of Toronto's policies, when Ryerson also excludes University of Toronto students borrowing privileges at Ryerson's library.

Therefore, if you have issues with borrowing from U of T, then why not complain at your Ryerson's library first, since, I haven't seen anybody complain about the borrowing procedures, etc. of Ryerson. If the issue is borrowing for a fee, then why not complain about Ryerson's fee also???

Just to clarify, the new fees at U of T are required for borrowing by faculty and graduate students from other universities. Ryerson does not charge fees to graduate students and faculty from other universities – they are issued a Direct Borrowing Card free of charge which entitles them to borrow from the collections. This does not include U of T undergraduates, as U of T does not lend to our undergraduates.

May be its a good way of collecting money. Hardly matters if some one is learning or not. But Toronto Public Library has a good system. They are charging if the book is not returned in time. The universities should study and find a suitable way; may be they can issue cards to the applicants and chrge on books which will be borrowed.

Sorry Paul.chen@utoronto.ca, but before you go off calling Ryerson library policies hypocritical, you should read the support you use in your own argument. The Ryerson library policy clearly states that Ryerson allows students, faculty and staff from all Canadian universities to apply for a direct borrower’s card and subsequently borrow materials – at no direct charge to the borrower. The restriction to UofT undergraduates is there to protect Ryerson students from a possible overflow of UofT students scavenging our smaller library. Also, UofT does not allow Ryerson undergraduates to borrow materials, so I'd think the reason for this cyclic policy is mutually understood.

Again, Ryerson DOES allow all Canadian university borrowing at no charge, INCLUDING graduate, faculty and staff from UofT at no direct cost. This mutual agreement of borrowing then is contradicted when UofT decides to charge the Ryerson counterparts of those UofT members who would otherwise not be charged at Ryerson's library.

Next time, please read your citations before you copy and paste them from the FAQ sections.